Keyfix Helps to Futurepoof Capitol House Development and Exceed Regulations

The Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray System has played an integral role in the construction of a new residential development in North London by exceeding building regulations and increasing installation efficiency on-site.

Development firm Dandara is transforming the former HMRC building, Capitol House, into a new housing development for Enfield residents.

The housing development will provide 91 flats, with 20% being classed as affordable. Winchmore Hill stands tall against a leafy suburb, characterised by its Edwardian streets and verdant parks, only a short commuting distance from central London.

In support of the design and development by Dandara, Keyfix supplied 790 metres of cavity tray, 160 corners, 2000 weeps on a combination of 102mm wide and 225mm wide external brickwork. IG Lintels also contributed its Non-Combustible Cavity Tray Lintel to the design. 

The customer was commencing brickwork at the time the buildings regulations changed. The introduction of Buildings Regulations Document B (Fire Safety) 2019, stated that ‘materials achieving limited combustibility cannot be deemed to meet the requirement using an alternative classification method’.

In order to meet new regulations, Dandara urgently required a third party-rated solution with limited combustibility made bespoke for its building.

The customer also needed the product to cater for a 102mm and a 225mm outer leaf construction and a variation of cavity widths, reveal depths and steps in the façade. Keyfix was able to provide this solution.

Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray (NCCT)

The Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray (NCCT) was selected, as it was able to provide the solution to all of Dandara’s needs. The customer has a long-standing relationship with sister company, IG Lintels, so decided to offer Keyfix the opportunity to provide its products. Dandara saw the Keyfix system as the best engineered, most robust system on the market as it negated the need for tapes and mastic.  

The biggest challenge Dandara faced was the project’s timescale, given the project’s tight six-month build programme. Keyfix overcame this issue as it was the first manufacturer in the industry to engage with third party testing.

In addition to creating a bespoke product tailored to a variety of cavity widths, reveal depths and steps in the façade, Keyfix created a new Non-combustible stainless steel weep vent. It demonstrated its innovation on this project by developing a weep that was able to drain the cavity tray through a 225mm façade. 

Moreover, Keyfix provided a complete take off including a component schedule and location plans, much to the customer’s delight. As this project took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, Keyfix also ensured that it delivered its Toolbox Talks remotely to ensure that employees were well-informed, despite social distancing measures.

Why the NCCT?

The Keyfix NCCT was specified as it exceeds the minimum regulations stipulated by Approved Document B (ADB), holding an A1 Fire Rating, and a lifespan of 125+ years.

It is also unique from other non-combustible cavity tray systems on the market, as it doesn’t rely on tapes and mastics to form its watertight joints. This is typically the cause of product failure, making the Keyfix NCCT a more reliable product, as noted by the customer.

The brickwork contractor, Stak Construction, greatly benefitted from using the Keyfix NCCT, as it is a self-supporting system which doesn’t need fixing back to the internal concrete frame; easily clipping together for a swift, simple installation, requiring no supplementary fixings, sealants or onsite fabrication from the contractor.

This saves substantial time on projects when compared to traditional DPC. This was essential on this project, given the short programme duration.

‘Essential’

Kieran Coyle, of Keyfix, comments: “Protecting buildings against fire is essential to consider. The Keyfix NCCT is designed to target this and not only meets, but exceeds the latest regulations, futureproofing buildings it’s used in. On this project, the design on this project challenged the Keyfix team, which has led to overall enhancements that we see on our NCCT system today.”

Dandara was highly satisfied with Keyfix’s products and services on this project, leading the firm to specify the Keyfix NCCT on several other upcoming projects.

The Winchmore Hill development is now complete, with the Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray ensuring that the building is safe and future-proof, protecting its occupants from fire for years to come.

For more information about the Keyfix range of non-combustible solutions download the product guide, visit https://keyfix.com/ or for technical support call 028 8676 7508 or email [email protected]

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